Simonton Windows vying to fill positions

October 5, 2013

PARKERSBURG - More than 30 people took advantage of a hiring fair Friday conducted by United Talent Staffing Services, a new staffing service in Parkersburg, on behalf of Simonton Windows.

Missy Tant, staffing coordinator/manager with United Talent, said the agency has been working with Simonton for some time on staffing issues, primarily for production jobs at the manufacturing company, which operates three facilities in Ritchie County, along with human resources, clerical, supervisory positions and others.

Steve Gansor, HR generalist for Simonton Windows at Ellenboro, said Friday's hiring fair with United Talent was the first one he has been involved in and he thought it went well. Simonton has a direct labor headcount of 645 people and wants to reach about 700 for its three sites in Ritchie County, he said.

Simonton is doing everything it can to fill production positions at this time, Gansor said. While the company's primary production period is from March through November, the fall construction season of September through November is the peak of its year as people prepare for the winter season with home improvements.

"We are pressured right now due to our volume of production to increase our labor force. We're literally pulling out all stops; we need people and we need them yesterday," Gansor said.

Despite that pressure, Gansor said it is a positive time for Simonton Windows.

"It is always a positive to need more people to get the product out the door," he said.

Friday's hiring fair was the first such event the Parkersburg office of United Talent has held since it opened in early September, although the agency has held similar mass hiring events for other clients around the state.

The agency also has offices in Hurricane, Morgantown and Charleston, where it is based.

Tant said United Talent takes care of coordinating, advertising and holding the hiring fairs for companies. Friday's event ran from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the United Talent office at 1223 Garfield Ave. in Parkersburg.

About 30 people went through the application and screening process on Friday, while more people stopped and picked up applications for later submittal, Tant said.

"They are wanting to hire 50-plus people, so we're interviewing and hiring on the spot," she said of Friday's event for Simonton.

The hiring fair included helping with applications and conducting interviews, background checks and screenings.

Gansor was present as a Simonton representative to talk with those the agency selected as possible matches for the open positions. In some cases, Tant thought some people would receive approval Friday and be ready to start work on Monday.

Tant said the agency likes doing hiring fairs like Friday's event, but the frequency will be determined by its clients' needs.

"It's something that we will do on a semi-regular basis for our clients," she said.

Tant said Friday's event was open to people already registered with United Talent and to people wanting to walk in, although the process runs more quickly for those who previousy make appointments and submit information to the agency.

Those interested in more information about the Simonton openings or United Talent and its services can call 304-893-5010, visit the office on Garfield Avenue or go online to www.utalent.com or United Talent on Faceboook for listings of available jobs and services.

The agency posts jobs on some of the primary job search websites, she said.